Puscifer “Bad Wolf” Review: Decoding the New Single from Normal Isn’t

With their new single “Bad Wolf,” the trio—Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Carina Round—is doing the most Puscifer thing possible: leaning into a “pop” sound while still feeling like they’re letting us in on a dark, beautiful secret.

The “Bad Wolf” Vibe: Polished, But Still Dangerous

Calling a Puscifer track “pop” usually comes with a massive asterisk. On “Bad Wolf,” the production is undeniably sleek. Mat Mitchell’s synth work is surgically precise, creating a groove that’s way more infectious than their grittier, industrial roots.

But it’s the vocal chemistry between Carina Round and Maynard that really anchors the track. They’ve moved past simple harmonies into a kind of dual-vocal storytelling that feels both intimate and slightly unsettling. It has the hooky energy needed to climb the Billboard 200, yet it retains that signature wit they’ve displayed on late-night stages like Kimmel and The Late Show.

More Than Just a Band

What makes this release feel significant is the sheer weight of the Puscifer brand. They aren’t just dropping singles; they’re building a world. Over the years, they’ve managed to:

• Own the Festival Scene: From the muddy fields of Bonnaroo to their own curated Sessanta festival tour.

• Soundtrack the Culture: Providing the atmospheric backbone to the first season of Yellowstone.

• Defy Labels: Successfully fusing performance art and visual storytelling into a singular, “must-see-to-believe” live experience.

Why You Should Care

In a landscape of cookie-cutter hits, “Bad Wolf” stands out because it’s crafted by three creative confidants who clearly trust each other’s wildest instincts. It’s catchy enough for a playlist but deep enough for a pair of high-end headphones and a dark room.

Puscifer has spent decades carving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape by being unapologetically themselves. With “Bad Wolf,” they’re proving that they can play the pop game better than the pros—without losing their soul in the process.